Known as the “King of Vibes”, Lionel Hampton is one of the most extraordinary musicians of the 1920’s. Hewas born on April 20, 1908 to Charles and Gertrude Hampton in Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Charles, was a promising pianist and singer before he entered WWI, was reported missing, and finally declared killed.(2) His mother, Gertrude, settled in Chicago, which is where she raised Lionel. Lionel was given his first drum lessons by a Dominican sister at the Holy Rosary Academy in Wisconsin. (3) His first foray into bands occurred while he was attending St. Monica’s School in Chicago. His job was to carry the bass drum for the Chicago Defender’s Newsboys Band. He later began playing the snare drum for this band and eventually was given a job by Les Hite in a teenage band.
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At 15-years old and a new high school graduate, Hampton said “Good-Bye” to Chicago and left for Los Angles to join Reb Spike’s Sharps and Flats. His big break came, though, when he played with Paul Howard’s Quality Serenaders backing up Louis Armstrong at the Cotton Club. One day, he was called into a recording sessions with Armstrong. (3) During a break, Hampton went over to a vibraphone, similar inappearance to a xylophone, and started to play. Armstrong was so impressed with the sound; he had Hampton play the vibes on one of the songs in his album. The song became an instant hit; and, the “King of Vibes” was born. Later Benny Goodman heard Hampton play the vibes and immediately asked him to record with his band. (2) Hampton recorded several hits with the Benny Goodman Quartet which marked the breaking of the “color” barrier as this group became the first racially integrated group of jazz musicians. Hampton finally progressed into establishing the Lionel Hampton Orchestra due to the managerial skills of his wife, Gladys. She was recognized as a brilliant businesswoman and served as her husband’s personal manager. (1) The Lionel Hampton Orchestra was known around the world for its tremendous energy, dazzling showmanship and first-class jazz musicianship. His signature tune, “Flying Home,” was one of over 200 original works Hampton wrote,
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including the “King David Suite,” a major symphonic work. (3) Hampton was so well know abroad that President Eisenhower asked him to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the United States. (1) His band generated a huge international following in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. Even though, Lionel Hampton is recognized as a great musician, probably his most enduring work came in the area of education. Hampton felt that musical education was a necessity and initiated the first phase of his work early in his career by training other musicians. (2) His “graduates” included some of the top names in jazz, including the great Aretha Franklin. Later in his career, he began working with the University of Idaho to establish his dream of musical education. (1) Today the University of Idaho holds a yearly jazz festival in his name and renamed their music school, the Lionel Hampton School of Music. Hampton’s generosity went past the area of music as he founded the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation which builds low-income housing in inner cities. (2) A stoke during a 1991 concert in Paris forced Hampton to cut back on his performances. His last appearance was at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2001. (1) He died on August 31, 2002 in New York City. His funeral procession began at The Cotton Club in Harlem and ended at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
Momma's on the chair, Poppa's on the cot
Baby's on the floor blowin' his natural top
Sayin'
Lionel always stressed the importance
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop) of music education.
Mmm Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Ye-es, my baby knows
Biography of Lionel Hampton
Lionel was given his first drum lessons by a Dominican sister at the Holy Rosary Academy in Wisconsin. (3) His first foray into bands occurred while he was attending St. Monica’s School in Chicago. His job was to carry the bass drum for the Chicago Defender’s Newsboys Band. He later began playing the snare drum for this band and eventually was given a job by Les Hite in a teenage band.
At 15-years old and a new high school graduate, Hampton said “Good-Bye” to Chicago and left for Los Angles to join Reb Spike’s Sharps and Flats. His big break came, though, when he played with Paul Howard’s Quality Serenaders backing up Louis Armstrong at the Cotton Club. One day, he was called into a recording sessions with Armstrong. (3) During a break, Hampton went over to a vibraphone, similar in appearance to a xylophone, and started to play. Armstrong was so impressed with the sound; he had Hampton play the vibes on one of the songs in his album. The song became an instant hit; and, the “King of Vibes” was born. Later Benny Goodman heard Hampton play the vibes and immediately asked him to record with his band. (2) Hampton recorded several hits with the Benny Goodman Quartet which marked the breaking of the “color” barrier as this group became the first racially integrated group of jazz musicians.
Hampton finally progressed into establishing the Lionel Hampton Orchestra due to the managerial skills of his wife, Gladys. She was recognized as a brilliant businesswoman and served as her husband’s personal manager. (1) The Lionel Hampton Orchestra was known around the world for its tremendous energy, dazzling showmanship and first-class jazz musicianship. His signature tune, “Flying Home,” was one of over 200 original works Hampton wrote,
Even though, Lionel Hampton is recognized as a great musician, probably his most enduring work came in the area of education. Hampton felt that musical education was a necessity and initiated the first phase of his work early in his career by training other musicians. (2) His “graduates” included some of the top names in jazz, including the great Aretha Franklin. Later in his career, he began working with the University of Idaho to establish his dream of musical education. (1) Today the University of Idaho holds a yearly jazz festival in his name and renamed their music school, the Lionel Hampton School of Music. Hampton’s generosity went past the area of music as he founded the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation which builds low-income housing in inner cities. (2)
A stoke during a 1991 concert in Paris forced Hampton to cut back on his performances. His last appearance was at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2001. (1) He died on August 31, 2002 in New York City. His funeral procession began at The Cotton Club in Harlem and ended at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
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Lyrics
Hey Ba Ba Re BopHey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Hey! Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Ye-es, your baby knows
Momma's on the chair, Poppa's on the cot
Baby's on the floor blowin' his natural top
Sayin'
Lionel always stressed the importance
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop) of music education.
Mmm Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop)
Ye-es, my baby knows
<lengthy (1:11) instrumental break featuring trumpets>
Up in the mountains, mad as I can be
Lookin' for the cat that took my baby from me
Shoutin'
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
Mmm Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
Ye-e-es,. my baby knows
Now you've heard this song from start to end
Now take the title once again
Baby, Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
(3)
Works Consulted
1. Fifield, Christopher. "Lionel Hampton: Flying Home." Jazz CD Reviews. 7 Mar. 2008 http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2003/Mar03/Hampton_flying.htm.
2. "Lionel Hampton." Parabrisas. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.parabrisas.com/d_hamptonl.php>.
3. "Lionel Hampton: His Life and Legacy." Uidaho.Edu. University of Idaho. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.uidaho.edu/hampton/index.html>.</span>